Bad: Oregon police officer killed during struggle

This is a discussion on Bad: Oregon police officer killed during struggle within the In the News: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly forums, part of the The Back Porch category; http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/05/...ex.html?hpt=T2
A Rainier, Oregon, police officer who struggled with a suspect at a car audio shop was killed by a gunshot Wednesday, according to the ...

"There were officers about 10 feet outside my window with AR-15s," he said. "We heard them start yelling at this guy inside to put his weapon down. I told everyone (in the church) to get down.

"Then all of a sudden a round came through the window I had been looking through, about six inches above my head, where I had just been standing," McCracken said. "I started yelling, 'Everybody get out, get out!'"

At that point, McCracken and the others inside the church ran to the opposite side of the building, he said. Police told them to stay inside as a safety precaution, according to KGW, based in Portland.

I hope they took the long way to the hospital/jail for a wood shampoo, having family in law enforcement these hit close to home. RIP Chief of Police Ralph Painter, thoughts and prayer for family and friends.

Once in a great while, older folks think about becoming a reserve LEO, whereby if you meet the requirements, you’re effectively fit for the street. There are plenty of young officers who die that a super fit, but still end up dead in a struggle. I guess it just depends.

As of Thursday afternoon, Jan 7, a suspect has been booked into jail: click

Apparently, police were called when the suspect was seen hanging around acting suspicious. He got into a struggle with the officer then ended up shooting him in the head. Twenty-one years old, looking like he's to be charged with aggravated murder and be eligible for the death penalty.

This is not Monday morning quarterbacking on my part as I was not there on scene and do not know the complete story on exactly what happened. I hope that something can be learned from this tragic event to keep it from happening to others.

When you get in close and hands on that is when so many of these incidents occur. Keeping distance if at all possible, waiting for backup and using the non-lethal tools on your belt are options that need to be considered before going hands on. Most officers today have retention holsters that give them somewhat of an edge over the old style single snap and out comes the handgun type holsters but the ultimate retention of the weapon is on the officer. The old statistic use to be one out of every 5 officers shot and killed was shot and killed with the weapon they were carrying. This has gone down somewhat due to the use of Level II and Level III holsters but still remains a situation to address with training and tactics.

As of Thursday afternoon, Jan 7, a suspect has been booked into jail: click

Apparently, police were called when the suspect was seen hanging around acting suspicious. He got into a struggle with the officer then ended up shooting him in the head. Twenty-one years old, looking like he's to be charged with aggravated murder and be eligible for the death penalty.

I would rather die with good men than hide with cowardsIf you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

Memorial service for Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter is at l:00 p.m. at University of Portland Chiles Center, 5000 North Willamette Boulevard, Portland.
Public seating begins at noon.

Parking is very limited please carpool if at all possible. Officials strongly recommend parking off campus where on street and other parking is available. If planning on parking on campus, use the main entrance off N. Willamette Blvd. and expect long delays due to the parking of procession vehicles prior to the ceremony.

Anyone who will be in the Portland area today is welcome to attend and pay their respects.

Ranier is a SMALL logging town, about 35-40 West of Portland, right on the Columbia river (we used to be rivals back when I went to high school in my home town just over the coast range). I would be surprised if Ranier has more than 3 or 4 full-time officers. In those small rural towns, the chief is usually one of the active patrol division--since they are ALL the "patrol division", and all the traffice enforcement division, and all the public safety division, and (etc, etc)..........

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